MP: SnobsLand, "HoFers" only game, [brainstorm]

[WraithLord]

Hi,

First a disclaimer: This game is not a "best" dom players game. Many excellent players are not in HoF. It is absolutely not meant to hint at elitism!
The idea behind this game is to satisfy the cat's curiosity: How would a game played exclusively by HoFers be?- Would it provide interesting surprises & drama?- Who would win it?- What alliances would form?- Who would get stomped/back-stabbed? etc
So, the format is geared towards creating what would hopefully be an interesting game by utilizing the HoF angle, nothing more.

Important note: The game is open to everyone who considers himself an HoFer (whatever that means ) or a champion or an awesome player etc. be it by virtue of skill, experience or ego.

At this stage I'm merely checking whether this concept is sound enough to justify a game.

The format is open for discussion except some immutable points (marked by bold font).

Game would start in 3-4 weeks since I'm moving to a new house in 2
Hosting Pace: First 15 turns every 24h, turns 15-30 48h, turn 30-45 72h, turn 45-60 96h, turn > 61 120h.
Considerate extension giving policy.
Hosting is planned for busy ppl.
Disallowed exploits: copying Bogus' orders and overfilling enemy lab to prevent his own forge.
Killing own mages under Ankh or LaD to gain freebe mages and troops. It's ok in a battle but it's not ok to set it up on purpose (whoever likes to do it knows what I'm talking about)
Hosted on llamaserver.
Diplomacy allowed. It's too much fun, esp. for this kind of game. Maybe restricted but definitely not prohibited.
Mods: CBM, EDM, Sprites- Does it even matter to the server???
Graphs: on
HoF: 15

Discussion:
-> # players, I had in mind anywhere between 10-20 drafted from top 30 HoF positions.
-> Map, land only?
-> Victory condition: 60-70% of # players capital VPs?- Another model?- maybe no VPs and control 70% of provinces?
-> Nations: All ages,one age?
-> Diplomacy: impose some limitations?- like no trades and no alliances are allowed? or maybe, only diplomacy allowed is to offer and accept/reject peace?
-> Research: Normal/hard ?
-> Indies: Normal/hard?
-> Nation selection: random, players send 3 top wanted nations, other model?
-> More?

If the idea is received positively than I'll post here the top 30 HoF positions

Players (if a game ever comes out of this):
1. Baalz
2. Psycho
3. ano?
4. WL
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

[Baalz]

I'll play.

[ano]

Killing own mages under Ankh or LaD to gain freebe mages and troops. It's ok in a battle but it's not ok to set it up on purpose

Heh. I always liked it and am just curious why people all around now started prohibiting this. Has there been a game recently won with the help of this tactic only?
But still.. Isn't everyone capable of it? Does it give so much advantage? I doubt it.
Also, I remember a thread long ago where people (including Baalz, IIRC) were saying this is absolutely impractical. Now when it has been proven it is practical, this is considered an exploit. How funny

[WraithLord]

I don't want to rehash the argument but I can mention the reasons I personally came to dislike this (since first and last I did it myself - in QWERTY game):
- Adds MM. I hate end game MM already, adding to that is abhorrent IMHO. And as a competitive player you can't choose not to do it (if it's viable) since you always try to minimax.
- It adds a hidden economy, like gem gens.
- I find it unthematic for non death nations.

All that said if I'm at minority I'm willing to allow this.

[ano]

No, WL, I was just curious why it is considered an exploit in MP nowadays. Not a vote or anything. You answered my question, thx.
1. But it is not so much MM, really, unless you're doing it totally crazy.
2. I'm not a fan of nerfing gem gens personally (and I'm not a fan of nerfing at all), though I can understand it. But undead armies or upkeep free mages are by far not so efficient as clams or fetishes.
3. Well, maybe, but what about death ones, like LA C'tis or smth like that?

I'm not going to raise a discussion here, just expressing my thoughts. Maybe will create a thread at the main forum some time later.

Most probably, I'll be on vacation when you're going to start this game, otherwise, I'd be glad to participate.

[WraithLord]

ano, when R U back from vacation?

So far though it doesn't seem like the concept is all that sexy...
Or maybe it needs better PR

[Lingchih]

Wraith, your problem is, that most of the HoFamers don't play anymore.

[WraithLord]

Oh, what a shame.
I wonder, is dom-III player pool on a shrinking tendency?- or is the "old" blood fading

[Lingchih]

The Hall of Famers, don't see much reason to play anymore, since they can beat anyone. Granted, using new mods, such as the EDM, they might be challenged. But, I don't see much interest in it (apart from new and intermediate gamers).

Of Course, Baalz will play anything.

I would probably play, just for the challenge. But I'm in no way a HoFamer. Just a longtime player.

[ano]

ano, when R U back from vacation?

I don't know anything about my vacation yet at all
But Lingchih seems to be right